Ac vity 21.

1 Inducing electricity

Activity 21.1
Make some observations of electromagnetic
induction.

In the first part of this activity, you move a magnet relative to a

wire. In the second part, you move a wire relative to a magnet.
In both cases, you should observe an induced e.m.f. (voltage).

You will need:

• 2.0 m insulated wire with bare ends
• sensitive voltmeter or ammeter
• bar magnet
• two magnadur magnets with yoke
• solenoid (optional)

Part 1
1 Coil the wire to make a solenoid approximately 5 cm in
diameter. (The coil can be flat like in the diagram rather than
long.) Alternatively, use a ready-made solenoid.
2 Connect the ends of the coil to the terminals of the meter.
3 Bring one pole of the bar magnet towards and into the centre of
the coil. Observe the reading on the meter.

Cambridge O Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2012 Chapter 21: Activity sheet 1
4 Now investigate how the reading on the meter changes in
different circumstances:
• Move the bar magnet at different speeds into the coil.
• Use the opposite pole of the bar magnet.
• Move the bar magnet out of the coil.
• Hold the bar magnet stationary at different distances from
the coil.

Part 2
5 Straighten out the wire. Keep the ends connected to the meter.
6 Mount the two magnadur magnets on their yoke. Ensure that
opposite poles are facing each other. There is a strong magnetic
field between the magnets.
7 Hold a section of the wire, approximately 10 cm in length,
between your two hands. Move the wire downwards through
the field. Observe the reading on the meter.

8 Now investigate how the reading on the meter changes in

different circumstances:
• Move the wire at different speeds through the magnetic field.
• Reverse the direction of the magnetic field.
• Move the wire out of the magnetic field.
• Hold the wire stationary in the magnetic field.

Cambridge O Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2012 Chapter 21: Activity sheet 2
Ac vity 21.2 The electrical supply
system
Activity 21.2
Find out more about where your electricity comes
from.

Where does your local electricity supply come from? Your task is
to research this question.

You will need:

• local and national maps
• access to the Internet
• materials for preparing a presentation

super grid distribution point industry

275 kV/400 kV 132 kV 33 kV

substation

sports centre
power station 11 kV
16.5 kV step-up transformer

houses
230 V/415 V electric
railway line

Task
The picture above gives a general impression of an electricity
supply system. The electricity is distributed from a fossil-fuel
power station. The voltage is changed at different points as the
electricity is transported to the end-users.

Cambridge O Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2012 Chapter 21: Activity sheet 3
But where does your electricity come from? It might come from a
hydro dam or from wind generators.
Here are some ideas of how to start finding out about your
local supply:
• Look at maps that show the tracks of distribution lines and the
positions of pylons that support them.
• Find the websites of generating and distributing companies and
look for maps.
• Discuss where you have seen power stations, wind generators
and other sources of electricity.
• Discuss where you have seen electricity substations – perhaps
small ones in areas of housing, or bigger ones in industrial areas
or on the edge of a town.
• Find out about the voltages used at different points along the
supply system.
Decide on a good way to collect information together and to
present it.

Cambridge O Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2012 Chapter 21: Activity sheet 4